The 27th annual Ride for the Pass is a wrap! Huge thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers, and riders who made one of our community’s first big events of the year such a joy. Results and photos below.
And congrats to Lois Evans of Carbondale, winner of our $500 gift certificate to Basalt Bike & Ski!
The Ride started in waves this year—thank you to everyone who made this work!
Winner Marshall Graybill with a time of 41.57
Grandfather/grandson duo at the finish: congratulations!
All smiles and ready to ride!
And they’re off . . . .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When does the Ride start? 10:00am for the timed ride to the ghost town of Independence, in waves of 20 riders, 1 minute apart (your wave will be assigned in advance); e-bikes and Weller riders will start 10 minutes after the timed riders.
Where is the shuttle and/or is there parking available? Due to COVID restrictions, there will be no shuttle this year. We encourage riders to start in town (Aspen) on their bikes. Closer to the start, there is parking at the large pullout across from Difficult Campground, parking along Highway 82 pullouts, and very limited parking at the winter closure gate.
What is the Ride route? The start is at the Winter Gate 5 miles east of Aspen on Highway 82. If you enter Aspen from the west and stay on Highway 82, you can’t miss it. There will be two finish lines: The first at Weller Lake turnout, just over two miles from the starting line for families and recreational riders, and the second at the traditional Independence ghost town site ten miles from the start (climbing 2,300 feet and topping out at 10,800’ in elevation).
How do I register? Registration will be on-line only, on this website, opening April 22 at 6pm. Registration will close when we reach capacity at 175.
Where do I pick up my number plate (with you participant number)? At the start line on Saturday morning
When does the race end? The course sweep will start at 12:30 p.m. – we try to have everyone off the course by 1:00 p.m.
When does registration close? Due to COVID restrictions, we are currently allowed 175 riders total. We anticipate the Ride will sell out, so register early: Registration will close when we reach capacity at 175.
Do I have to be timed? The 2-mile ride to Weller is a non-timed event. The 10-mile ride to Independence is a timed event. All e-bikers will be untimed.
Can I ride to the summit? You are welcome to go where you please, although all IPF’s support ends at the finish line at Independence ghost town and when the course is swept at 12:30 p.m.
What do I do with my warm clothes? Please bring your own labeled bag and we will transport it to either the Weller or Independence finish line. Signs will indicate where to drop your bag, which must be delivered by 9:45 a.m. in order to get on the truck. Any bags left at the finish will be brought down to the start by 1pm. Don’t underestimate how much warmth you’ll need on the way down!
Where is the after-Ride party? Due to COVID restrictions, there will be no Ride after-party this year.
How much does registration cost? Fees are $20 for adults, $10 for kids under 12.
Do Aspen Cycling Club dues pay for Ride registration? No, the two are separate.
Is there an Aspen Cycling Club sign-up spot? Anyone who participates in the Ride and is not a Cycling Club member will have his/her points counted in the Cycling Club standings if he/she signs up for Cycling Club membership within a week of the Ride for the Pass. For more information on the Cycling Club, contact them via their website, aspencyclingclub.org.
Where are the aid stations? Due to COVID restrictions, there will be no aid stations this year (please bring all the water/snacks you need for the Ride). EMTs and a motorcycle will be riding along – watch for orange bibs with STAFF label on riders – and ambulance support will be at Lincoln Creek. There are porto johns at the start and both finishes (Weller and Independence).
When will results be available? Preliminary results will be available within several hours of the Ride finish. Official results will be available within 24 hours, and will be e-mailed to participants and will appear on IPF’s website. Local newspapers should also publish results within five days.
Will there be awards or raffle prizes? Because we will not be able to hold our after-Ride party due to COVID restrictions, we will not have an award ceremony or our usual over-the-top raffle. We WILL, however, have big prizes for all of our age category winners, and will hold a raffle for all participants with the chance to win a $500 gift certificate to Basalt Bike & Ski!
Are there any lodging specials in town? Many local lodges have off-season specials—check around for some good values.
What is the cancellation policy? If the event needs to be cancelled due to a change in state/county-mandated COVID restrictions, IPF will offer a credit to all registrants for next year’s Ride. In the event the COVID dial moves to orange and we are only allowed 75 riders, the first 75 registrants will be allowed to participate, and the remaining 100 registrants will be offered a credit for next year’s Ride.
In the event of inclement weather or icy/snowy conditions on Highway 82 on race day, the Independence Pass Foundation will use its best judgment to determine whether the Ride will be reasonably safe for participants. When possible IPF will will alert participants of cancellation by email, website, and Facebook postings by 5pm the day prior. However, weather and conditions depending, it may be necessary to cancel the Ride the morning of Ride day. Because IPF is a non-profit organization that assumes almost all Ride-related costs well prior to Ride day, there will be no refunds in the event of cancellation.
RULES OF THE ROAD
— Wear a helmet.
— Watch for water, ice and other hazards – rough spots and water are marked by signs or cones.
— Be aware of “Road Hazard” and “Wet Pavement” signs.
— Number plates must be visible on the front of your bike.
— If you have any problems, please pull off the road.
— Stay in line at the Finish Line if you want to be timed.
— Obey the Yellow Line – watch out for two-way traffic as some riders will be descending as others are still ascending
. — Watch out for the motorcycle rider who will be sweeping the course from time to time.
— Pass on the left – pull over to the right for faster traffic.
— Watch out for uphill traffic and pedestrians during your descent; control your speed.